Daily motivational coaching and engaging online lessons build resilience and confidence.

(Minneapolis) January 5, 2021 —  EmpowerU today announced that the company has secured $1 million in seed funding to launch its highly personalized, tech-powered, social-emotional learning solution nationwide. The funding will fuel EmpowerU’s efforts to bring much-needed mental health support to students beyond Minnesota, where more than 1,000 students have already benefited with improved wellbeing, confidence, and hope.

This round of financing was led by Capita3, a Twin Cities venture firm with a focus on women-led organizations. Additional investment partners include ECMC and GreatNorth Labs.

A recent EdWeek survey indicated that 66% of high school principals are actively searching for effective solutions to battle the escalating levels of student anxiety, avoidance and depression. With EmpowerU, student growth happens one day at a time, one small step at a time through engaging, online skill-building lessons supported by daily 1:1 motivational coaching. This daily blend of support results in significant improvements in emotional wellbeing, school attendance, and grades, while decreasing the need for more costly interventions.

EmpowerU coaches are highly trained, empathetic therapists who help students face their obstacles and make the important connection between core concepts in online lessons and the unique challenges in their lives, fueling change.

“EmpowerU delivers transformational student support at a fraction of the cost of therapy,” said Katie Dorn, the company’s co-founder. “As a licensed school counselor and therapist, I know how desperate educators are for cost-effective tools that actually help students overcome struggle. Although most students are unable to control their barriers, EmpowerU helps them navigate obstacles and come out the other side stronger. Students build hope that despite their difficult circumstances, they can feel better and thrive, today and in the future.”

Independent evaluation of EmpowerU showed that:

• More than 93% of students who complete EmpowerU make a dramatic shift from discouragement and anxiety to improved wellbeing, motivation, and hope.
• More than 88% of students complete the program, compared to 5-30% completion rates with other programs.
• More than 98.5% of students would recommend EmpowerU to a friend or classmate.

Students can access the EmpowerU portal on any computer or mobile device. The semester-long course can be completed online in only 20 to 30 minutes per weekday. EmpowerU’s approach is aligned with CASEL and National Health and Wellness standards, so students who complete all six units of the course can receive a semester wellness credit.

EmpowerU was launched in Minneapolis-St. Paul by three clinicians from different but complementary adolescent mental health specialties who saw the deep need to re-engineer the delivery of mental health support to schools. The highly supported course uses evidence-based strategies, habit-change tools, wellness focus, and mental health coaching methodology to empower students to decrease anxiety and build persistence, resilience, and confidence.

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About EmpowerU

EmpowerU’s revolutionary approach helps students replace anxiety and depression with resilience and confidence. As active participants in their wellness journey, students receive engaging online lessons and daily motivational coaching that fuels improved emotional wellbeing, school attendance, and grades. EmpowerU offers site-based licenses to schools and colleges, as well as access to the credit-bearing course through third-party online schools or direct from the company. To learn more, visit EmpowerU.education.

About Capita3

Capita3 is a venture capital group investing in early stage companies innovating in health that are led by women. Capita3 is led by successful entrepreneurs and investors who’ve founded and built companies to exit, and experienced dozens of startup company exits. Capita3 believes in investing in the growth of the CEO alongside our investment in the growth of the company, and is instrumental in helping companies launch, grow and exit.

About ECMC

ECMC Group’s Education Impact Fund (‘EIF’) is ECMC Group’s $125M+ strategic impact investment arm. EIF invests market-rate capital in impact-driven, financially scalable companies that are improving access and outcomes for learners. EIF is committed to building a diverse portfolio of seed- to later-stage companies, as well as investments in other mission-aligned funds across the post-secondary and future-of-work sectors.

About GreatNorth Labs

Great North Labs is an early-stage venture fund based in St. Cloud/Minneapolis and focused primarily on the Upper Midwest. It is led by successful tech founders/investors in Minnesota and Silicon Valley. As founders backing founders, the fund cultivates access to investment intelligence and opportunities via strategic relationships to directly help entrepreneurs and startups develop, grow, and find exits.